Felipe Massa discovers judge’s key ruling over F1 2008 lawsuit

Felipe Massa’s lawsuit declare over the 2008 F1 world championship can proceed to trial, a excessive courtroom choose has dominated.

The decision marks a lift for former Ferrari driver Massa, who’s searching for £64m in damages from former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, Formulation One Administration and governing physique the FIA.

Massa, 44, argues that F1’s failure to analyze the ‘Crashgate’ scandal on the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix sooner denied him the title, which was gained by Lewis Hamilton for McLaren.

The Brazilian was main the race when Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr crashed intentionally to set off a Security Automotive which helped teammate Fernando Alonso win the race.

Massa pitted through the Security Automotive however Ferrari botched the cease, ensuing of their lead driver ending exterior of the factors. He went on to lose the world championship to Hamilton by a single level on the last spherical in Brazil.

The conspiracy solely emerged in 2009 however Massa has accused Ecclestone and the FIA of concealing the race-fixing to guard F1’s picture.

The defendants have argued that the declare had been introduced too late and requested the courtroom in London to throw out the case.

On Thursday, Mr Justice Jay mentioned in a written judgement that the case might go forward.

“That is a rare victory – an essential day for me, for justice, and for everybody keen about Formulation 1,” Massa mentioned.

“The Court docket acknowledged the energy of our case and didn’t enable the defendants to smother the reality about 2008. The deliberate crash value me a world title, and the authorities on the time selected to cowl up the information as an alternative of defending the integrity of the game.

“They did all the pieces they may to cease the lawsuit, however our struggle is for justice, and right now we took a decisive step. The reality will prevail at trial. We are going to examine all the pieces completely. Each doc, each communication, each piece of proof revealing the conspiracy among the many defendants will likely be introduced.

“I’m extra decided and assured than ever! When the entire fact involves gentle, justice will likely be served – for me, for Brazilians, for the tifosi, for all motorsport followers who deserve an sincere sport, and for the very way forward for F1.”

What occurs if Massa succeeds?

The choose mentioned that Massa had “no actual prospect of building that the FIA’s duties have been owed to him”, however that “he does have an actual prospect of proving at trial all of the elements of his illegal means conspiracy”.

Mr Justice Jay added: “The identical evaluation applies to the inducement declare.”

Whereas Massa might reach being awarded damages, the outcomes of the 2008 world championship can’t be overturned.

“The current declare can’t, after all, rewrite the end result of the 2008 drivers’ world championship, but when declaratory aid alongside the traces sought have been granted that’s how Mr Massa would current his victory to the world and additionally it is how it might be perceived by the general public,” Mr Justice Jay mentioned.

“The second declaration is within the phrases that have been it not for the FIA’s breaches of obligation, Mr Massa would have gained the championship: in different phrases, that he ought to have gained the championship. The FIA, as a global sporting physique exterior the attain of this courtroom, might and would merely ignore any such declaration.

“That underscores its lack of sensible utility, however the declaration comes too shut in my opinion to impinging on the suitable of the FIA to manipulate its personal affairs.”